Iridium has signed a partnership with SKYWAVE to integrate its low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite network with SKYWAVE’s industrial Internet of Things (IoT) platform, targeting users with equipment operating in remote locations.
The integration will embed Iridium’s Short Burst Data (SBD) service directly into SKYWAVE satellite IoT terminals, allowing original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to access Iridium’s satellite network alongside cellular and Wi-Fi connectivity.
The combined platform is designed to support remote monitoring, diagnostics, predictive maintenance and support for connected fleets.
“For more than two decades, Iridium has provided the only pole-to-pole mobile satellite network, delivering the coverage, resiliency, and reliability that mission-critical operations demand,” said Matt Desch, CEO, Iridium.
While initially focused on heavy equipment manufacturers, the companies say the architecture is intended to support additional industrial sectors where assets operate beyond the reach of terrestrial communications, including maritime.
SKYWAVE says its multi-network management platform will allow customers to extend connected services across satellite, cellular and Wi-Fi networks through a single platform.
“This partnership is an important step in SKYWAVE’s mission to become the intelligent networking layer for industrial IoT,” said Sameer Agrawal, Chief Executive Officer of ORBCOMM.
“Heavy equipment OEMs are looking for ways to modernise legacy deployments, expand connected service capabilities and deliver reliable digital experiences wherever their equipment operates. By combining Iridium’s global LEO capabilities with SKYWAVE’s platform, we are enabling OEMs to build and scale those capabilities across multiple networks.”
